There was a grand felicitation of senior faculty members at the Prasanthi
Nilayam on June 18, 2006 which I thought you would be interested in knowing.

The opening of the function was by Institute Band and nadaswaram. The whole
environment was surcharged with spiritual and academic brilliance.

The faculty members who were
honoured were Dr. U.S.Rao, Prof R. Ramamoorthy, Prof Nanjundiah and Dr V.N.
Pandit.

The faculty were accompanied by their spouses and they shared the dias with
Swami.

The opening address was given by the Vice Chancellor who introduced the
recepients to the audience. The qualifications, achievements and posts held
by them were reeled off in a manner that held the entire audience
spell-bound and I was stunned at the academic and professional brilliance of
these great men who lived rather low-profile lives at Parthi.

It was a feast to watch for all as Swami walked upto each one spoke to them,
granted padanamaskar to the couple and blessed them with recognitions.

Dr Rao was the first to be felicitated, followed by Prof Ramamurthy, Prof
Nanjundiah and then Dr Pandit.

The honoured faculty expressed their gratitude to Swami and shared their
thoughts.

Dr Rao said that there was no greater and better job than to interact with a
committed and learned faculty, enthusiastic and eager students and be a part
of the university whose Chancellor is the Chancellor of the Universe. Dr Rao
added that it is the students' love for Swami that was endearing and gave
him immense happiness in rendering the job.

Prof Ramamurthy spoke of the pancha thathvas - WATCH - that Swami has given
to all his devotees and concluded that this was the message that he wanted
to give to the students.

Prof Nanjundiah spoke of his experiences from over 3 decades with Swami, the
letters that Swami had written to him and the immense grace of Swami on each
and every action of his life. It was like a fairy tale, a mellifluous flow
of honey and nectar.

Dr Pandit's speech potrayed the immense humility and attitude of surrender.
Dr Pandit, while expressing gratitude to Swami described the event as
'torrential grace' . He disclosed that he used to come to Parthi since 1976
and had earlier known about Swami when he was a Prof in Manchester. He
wanted to come to Parthi since then and be involved in the SSSIHL, when
Swami told him '...this is your university'. Dr Pandit concluded his speech
with a prayer that 'He prabhu, mere avagun chitt na dharo, chaho to paar
lagoa' .

Swami gave a small speech praising the faculty members and advising the
students to be of exemplary character.

The words of a student were also heard. Dr Deepak Anand (and ex student and
presently a faculty member) gave his views on their brilliance and sought
resounding applauses for each of these men who had secured this ultimate
recognition from the Lord.